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SHAKTAR 2-0 REAL MADRID: SHAKTAR GRAB COMFORTABLE HOME WIN AS ZIDANE’S MEN DROP TO THIRD ON GROUP B TABLE.

Real Madrid’s Champions League hopes are hanging in the balance after they lost 2-0 at Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday, leaving them third in Group B with one round of games remaining.

The 13-times European champions went behind in the 57th minute when Shakhtar substitute Dentinho capitalised on a lapse in concentration by Raphael Varane to score in an empty Olympic Stadium, where Madrid won their last Champions League in 2018.

Israeli forward Manor Solomon then wrapped up the home side’s shock win over the Spaniards in the 82nd with a solo run on the counter and finish into the bottom corner.

Dentinho came on in the first half to replace striker Junior Moraes, who was injured after being hauled down by Varane in a bid to prevent the forward racing towards goal unchallenged.

Shakhtar, who beat Madrid 3-2 away in October, are second in Group B on seven points, level with Zinedine Zidane’s side but above them due to their superior head-to-head record.

Real host leaders Borussia Moenchengladbach next week in their final game when Shakhtar visit bottom side Inter Milan.

Madrid’s run of qualifying from the group stage for a record 23 consecutive seasons is in serious danger but Zidane vowed to fight on, dismissing suggestions he could resign as he did in May 2018 after lifting a third straight Champions League crown.

“I’m optimistic. This is a difficult moment but we need to show our character now and stand tall,’ he said.

‘What happened today is a real shame because we did not deserve it but we have to win our next game. We’re going to believe in ourselves and we’re going to fight, you can be sure about that,’ he added at the post-match news conference.

The Spanish champions pulled off a 2-0 win at Inter in their last European game while the Ukrainians were hammered 4-0 away to Gladbach, though Zidane’s side were brought back to earth with Saturday’s shock 2-1 home loss to Alaves in La Liga.

Real were missing record signing Eden Hazard after another injury to the Belgian and were still without captain Sergio Ramos, though they were boosted by the return of Karim Benzema.

They looked the better side before the interval and nearly scored an early goal when Marco Asensio hit the post from a tight angle, but the second half belonged to Shakhtar who savoured another upset win over the kings of European football.

Shakhtar’s Solomon said: ‘It’s been a great match and great result for us. Six points in two games against Real is a dream come true. Now we have a good chance to qualify for the knockout stage but we have a very tough game with Inter ahead of us.’

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F1 Sports News

RUSSELL REPLACES HAMILTON AT MERCEDES FOR SAKHIR GP AFTER BRITISH STAR TESTS POSITIVE TO COVID-19.

Williams driver George Russell will replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for this weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix after Hamilton tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.

Williams, which is an engine customer of Mercedes, agreed to release the 22-year-old for this weekend’s race and has announced it will replace Russell with its reserve driver Jack Aitken.

Russell has a contract with Williams until the end of 2021, but is managed by Mercedes and has a separate long-term deal with the world champions.

When news broke of Hamilton’s positive test on Monday, Mercedes approached Williams over Russell’s availability and once a deal was struck the two teams confirmed the driver switch on Wednesday morning.

It is not clear if there is an option in place for Russell’s release from his Williams contract to stretch to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix the following weekend if Hamilton fails to return a negative COVID-19 test in time.

“Firstly, I want to say a huge thank you to everybody at Williams for giving me this opportunity,” Russell said. “I might be wearing a different race suit this weekend, but I’m a Williams driver and I’ll be cheering my team on every step of the way.

“I see this as a great chance to learn from the best outfit on the grid right now and to come back as an improved driver, with even more energy and experience to help push Williams further up the grid. A big thank you also to Mercedes for putting their faith in me.

“Obviously, nobody can replace Lewis, but I’ll give my all for the team in his absence from the moment I step in the car. Most importantly, I wish him a speedy recovery.”

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff added: “First and foremost, I wish to thank our loyal partners at Williams for their collaboration and open-mindedness in making it possible for George to race for Mercedes this weekend.

“The conversations with the team at Williams were positive and pragmatic, and those were the key factors in reaching an agreement.”

He has not scored a point in his 36 F1 starts, although that is largely down to Williams’ lack of competitiveness. In qualifying he has outperformed his two teammates, Robert Kubica and Nicholas Latifi, at every grand prix since he has driven at.

Russell is familiar with the Mercedes team and has completed four days of official testing with the world champions, with his last outing taking place in Bahrain last year.

He has been tipped as a potential replacement for Valtteri Bottas in 2022 and the two drivers will be matched as teammates this weekend.

“It will not be a straightforward task for George to make the transition from the Williams to the W11, but he is race-ready and has detailed understanding of the 2020 tyres and how they perform on this generation of cars,” Wolff added. “George has shown impressive form this year with Williams, playing an instrumental role in their climb up the grid, and I am optimistic that he will deliver a strong performance alongside Valtteri, who will be a demanding reference for him.

“This race will mark a small milestone for us, as we see a member of our Junior programme compete for the works Mercedes team for the first time. We have a job to do this weekend, and the full focus of our sporting efforts will be behind Valtteri and George in order to maximise our points score as a team.

“But, of course, our thoughts are also with Lewis, and we will be supporting him as much as we can to make a rapid recovery during his period of self-isolation.”

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football Sports News

ALISSON TO MISS TWO WEEKS DUE TO HAMSTRING INJURY.

Alisson Becker will be sidelined for up to two weeks with a hamstring injury with the Brazilian goalkeeper likely to miss games against Wolves, Midtjylland and Fulham.

Alisson felt his hamstring during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Brighton on Saturday and was replaced by 22-year-old Caoimhin Kelleher for Tuesday night’s 1-0 win over Ajax in the Champions League.

Kelleher produced a fine performance, including a crucial reflex save to deny Klaas-Jan Huntelaar as Liverpool booked their place in the knockout rounds.

And manager Jurgen Klopp provided an update on the extent of Alisson’s injury, emphasising it was an injury and not a Covid-19 infection or isolation.

He told BT Sport: ‘So, it’s not Covid, I think it’s something we have to mention when it’s not the case – and it’s not the case.

‘He told us after the last game that he felt in the 60th, 70th minute his hamstring. [We] did a scan, it’s a little one but enough for today and probably for another week.

‘We don’t know exactly, we have to wait and I’ve never heard about a hamstring that is only four or five days, so 10-14 days I think.’

Klopp sprung a surprise by favouring Kelleher, who had only previously made four appearances for the club, all in the FA Cup or EFL Cup, ahead of Adrian.

And after a clean sheet, Klopp was full of praise for the Irishman: ‘I really think Adrian has done a fantastic job for us, he kept a lot of clean sheets, played everywhere.

‘But now we needed the natural football playing ability of Caoimhin Kelleher.

‘He is a great shot-stopper as well. We made that decision but never know how they are going to cope. I am really happy with how calm he was and how good he was.

‘In the end, it is about keeping the ball out of the net and he did that twice and he did that in an exceptional manner. He will either sleep really well tonight or not at all.’

Liverpool host Wolves in the Premier League on Sunday evening and then conclude their Champions League group campaign with a trip to Denmark to play Midtjylland next Wednesday.

They then face three league matches in quick succession against Fulham, Tottenham and Crystal Palace and Klopp may have to choose between Adrian and Kelleher if Alisson doesn’t recover in time.

Alisson is just the latest injury concern for Liverpool, who currently have Trent Alexander-Arnold, Naby Keita, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Xherdan Shaqiri, James Milner, Thiago Alcantara and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sidelined.

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football Sports News

VILLA-NEWCASTLE PREMIER LEAGUE TIE POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19 OUTBREAK.

Newcastle United’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Friday has become the first English top-flight game to be postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak after a “significant increase” in COVID-19 cases at the club.

Newcastle’s Darsley Park training ground has been closed since Monday as a response to several players and staff members being forced to self-isolate after testing positive for COVID-19.

With manager Steve Bruce’s playing squad severely impacted by the outbreak, Newcastle informed the Premier League of their difficulties in honouring their commitment to play Friday’s game at Villa Park and the league has confirmed that they have now granted their request to postpone the game.

“Following a Premier League Board meeting today, Newcastle United’s fixture at Aston Villa, due to be played at 8 p.m. Friday 4 December, has been postponed,” a Premier League statement said.

“Newcastle lodged a request with the Premier League to rearrange the game following a significant increase in COVID-19 cases at the club which resulted in Public Health England North East (PHE) advising that their training facilities remain closed.

“The Premier League Board agreed, as a consequence, that the club are unable to train and adequately and safely prepare for their match on Friday.

“The decision has been taken in consultation with Newcastle United and Aston Villa, and following extensive consultation with PHE and Premier League medical advisors, with the health of players and staff the priority.

“Newcastle correctly notified PHE regarding a number of positive COVID-19 test results, which is standard practice under Government and Premier League guidelines.

“PHE convened a meeting with Newcastle and the Premier League yesterday to assess the situation and advised the club’s training ground should remain closed and no group training would be permitted between players until Friday at the earliest.

“All players and training ground staff will be re-tested this week and another meeting between the club, PHE and the Premier League will take place to assess the test results.

“The Premier League wishes those with COVID-19 a safe and speedy recovery and will rearrange the postponed fixture against Aston Villa in due course.”

Premier League clubs test players and coaching staff at least twice a week in order to comply with COVID-19 protocols.

On Monday, the league confirmed that 10 positive results had been recorded from 1,381 players and staff in the most recent round of testing.

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football Sports News

PLAYERS MUST CONTINUE TO BEND THE KNEE IN SUPPORT OF THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT -KANE.

Tottenham and England captain Harry Kane has said players should continue to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement by taking a knee before matches.

The gesture of solidarity has taken place before every Premier League fixture since English football’s restart in June, a month after unarmed Black man George Floyd died in police custody in Minnesota after a white police officer kneeled on his neck for several minutes.

Matches all around the world including UEFA Nations League internationals, the Champions League and the Europa League have featured players taking the knee for nine seconds before kick-off but some figures within the game have questioned whether it should stop.

QPR director of football Les Ferdinand said the anti-racism message had been “diluted” through excessive use.

“I hear people ask if we should still be doing it and we should. What people don’t realise is sometimes we are watched by millions of people round the world. Of course, for the person who watches the Premier League every week, they see the same thing every week,” Kane told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“But I think if you look around the world you see children watching the game for the first time, seeing us all take a knee and asking their parents and asking why we take the knee.

“It’s a great chance for people to explain why and get their point across. Education is the biggest thing we can do. Adults can teach generations what it means, and what it means to be together and help each other no matter what your race.”

Kane also sought to highlight the work done by fellow England teammates Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling in campaigning for change while acknowledging white players must do more to help stamp out racist abuse.

“What Marcus and Raheem have done has been incredible and you see a lot of the work players do for communities and charities, I know first-hand that players are doing an awful lot,” he added.

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football Sports News

KLOPP RATES WIN OVER AJAX AMONG HIS BEST AT LIVERPOOL.

Liverpool boss, Jurgen KLOPP has labelled Tuesday night win against Ajax as one of his best wins since joining the Merseyside

Anfield was empty, the Liverpool team depleted by injury and it was hardly a vintage performance but the 1-0 win over Ajax Amsterdam on Tuesday still left manager Jurgen Klopp bursting with pride.

Honestly since I was at Liverpool that feels like one of the biggest Champions League nights. Without supporters in, it was the most important, most difficult, most exceptional,” he said.

“With the circumstances, there hasn’t been much to smile about, it’s been tricky, and the boys throw themselves into the game,” said the German after his side secured top spot in Group D.

“Robbo [Andy Robertson] has a proper knock on the ankle and pushes himself through, Hendo [Jordan Henderson] with a sore back, Gini [Georginio Wijnaldum] — I have no words for him. Curtis Jones, what a game, It’s amazing, I’m really proud.”

The 19-year-old Jones got the second-half winner and was one of the brightest players in the midfield battle.

“Curtis is a really good kid, a good player and I am happy to have him around. Sometimes with injuries there is always an opportunity and he has taken it,” he said.

Klopp had another injury headache to contend with before the game, with keeper Alisson Becker ruled out with a hamstring strain, and Irish Under-21 keeper Caoimhin Kelleher was picked ahead of the more experience Adrian.

“I really think Adrian has done a fantastic job for us, he kept a lot of clean sheets, played everywhere. But now we needed the natural football playing ability of Caoimhin Kelleher. He is a good shot stopper as well. We made that decision but you never know how they are going to cope. I am really happy with how calm he was and how good he was,” said Klopp.

Kelleher made a vital save in the closing moments to make sure of the three points.

“That’s what I’m there for, I work every day in training to make sure I am ready and I was able to make a good few saves,” he said.

“It was an amazing one for me, to make my Champions League debut was massive and we got the win and qualified. A great night.”

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football Sports News

I’M NOT QUITTING: ZIDANE VOWS TO REMAIN AT MADRID DESPITE RUN OF POOR FORM.

Zinedine Zidane says he wants to fight on as Real Madrid manager after a 2-0 Champions League loss to Shakhtar Donetsk left the team’s chances of qualifying for the round of 16 in serious doubt.

Second-half goals from substitutes Dentinho and Manor Solomon saw Madrid beaten for the second time by the Ukrainians, after they opened their European campaign with a 3-2 home defeat in October.

The result in Kiev put Shakhtar level on points with Madrid, with both teams nervously eyeing Tuesday’s other Group B match between Borussia Monchengladbach and Inter Milan.

The final matchday on Dec. 9 sees Madrid host group leaders Monchengladbach, and Shakhtar travel to Inter.

“No. Not at all. I won’t resign,” Zidane said in his postmatch news conference, when asked if he was considering his future. “We’ll keep going. … In the first half we were really good. I think we deserved to score first, that would have changed things. Their goals hurt us a lot.”

Madrid have now lost five of their last 10 matches in all competitions, with La Liga defeats to Cadiz, Valencia and Alaves combining with home and away Champions League losses to Shakhtar to leave Zidane under significant pressure.

“We’ve had complicated moments and we always will,” Zidane said. “We’re on a bad run of results. That’s the reality. But we have to keep going. … I think we prepared well, we played a great first half. We have one game left and we have to win and think about going through.”

Madrid now face a testing run of fixtures, as they go away to top-four contenders Sevilla in La Liga, face Monchengladbach in a must-win Champions League clash, and then face Atletico Madrid in the derby, all in a week.

“I feel strong. I’ll give everything, as always, I think the players will too,” Zidane said. “The other day [against Alaves] we didn’t deserve to win. I think today we played a good game, but that’s football. We have to keep our heads up and think about the next game. When you’re on a bad run there’s no alternative … we have to show our character and our pride.”

While Karim Benzema returned to the team Tuesday night, Madrid are still waiting for captain Sergio Ramos to recover from injury, and Eden Hazard was ruled out for three weeks Monday because of a thigh muscle problem.

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football Sports News

PORTO 0-0 MANCITY: PEP GUARDIOLA’S SIDE HELD TO A DRAW AS GABRIEL JESUS LATE GOAL CANCELED OUT BY VAR.

Pep Guardiola has spent the past few days telling his Manchester City squad to forget about the notion of Premier League rotation now they are match sharp.

So with Champions League qualification already sealed, Tuesday night effectively acted as a trial for tasks to come.

Seven of them had watched on as City slapped five past Burnley and the challenge was to force a way into the team for Fulham. Or more pertinently, the one heading for Old Trafford in just over a week’s time.

Ultimately they carved enough chances to maintain their 100 per cent record but those all arrived rather late on a fairly dry night.

It will certainly be interesting to see how many have enhanced their chances following Guardiola’s first goalless draw in Europe since 2015. Despite all that, the City boss appeared happy enough.

‘They showed me today that everybody s fit, everybody is ready,’ he said with bite.

‘So I can trust these players who played today and Burnley. They have competition between them now. That is good news.’

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football Slides Sports News

MON 2-3 INTER: ROMELU LUKAKU BRACE KEEPS INTERMILAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HOPES ALIVE.

Internazionale forward Romelu Lukaku scored twice in the second half to secure a 3-2 win at Borussia Monchengladbach on Tuesday and keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive with Group B still wide open with one round of games left.

The Belgium international has proved a lifesaver for Inter, having also scored twice, including a last-minute equaliser, in their 2-2 draw with the Germans in Italy on the first matchday.

Lukaku fired home for a 2-1 lead in the 64th minute at Borussia Park and tapped in his second goal nine minutes later to make it 3-1, with Inter now needing a win in their last group match against Shakhtar Donetsk to have any chance of advancing.

“You need to be a great group [of players], otherwise you don’t come here and win against this Borussia side in great form,” said Inter coach Antonio Conte.

“We had a great performance, we fully deserved to win. We just could avoid some risks at the end but we are still alive and this is what counts the most.”

Gladbach are top on eight points, one ahead of Shakhtar and Real Madrid after the Ukrainians earlier beat the visiting Spaniards 2-0. Inter are bottom on five. All four teams will battle to reach the last 16 on the final matchday.

Inter were rewarded for their strong start with Matteo Darmian slotting the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Yann Sommer in the 17th minute.

The Germans found their footing after half an hour and, despite frantic shouts of “calma, calma” from Inter coach Antonio Conte echoing across the empty stadium, the Italians lost their grip on the game.

Alassane Plea headed home the equaliser in first-half stoppage time but as the hosts edged closer to a second goal after the break, Lukaku struck with a powerful shot across the area into the far corner.

He then completed a quick move with an easy tap in.

Monchengladbach were not done yet and Plea cut the deficit in the 76th while eight minutes later the Frenchman had an effort disallowed by VAR for an offside in the area.

“We’d have liked to get points from this game. We didn’t manage that and we’re very disappointed,” said Gladbach coach Marco Rose, who was furious over the offside decision.

Asked what he had told the referee in an agitated manner at the end of the game, Rose replied: “Merry Christmas.”

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football Sports News

ATLETICO 1-1 BAYERN: THOMAS MULLER LATE STRIKE EARNS THE GERMAN GIANTS A POINT.

Thomas Müller came off the bench to win and convert a late penalty for Bayern Munich as they held Atletico Madrid to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday, preventing the Spanish side from booking their place in the knockout stages.

Bayern were already guaranteed their spot in the Last 16 as Group A winners, meaning coach Hansi Flick had the luxury of rotating his squad at the Wanda Metropolitano: Robert Lewandowski, Manuel Neuer and Leon Goretzka were rested, with Müller, Serge Gnabry, Kingsley Coman and Benjamin Pavard on the bench.

A much-changed line-up – including teenagers Jamal Musiala and Bright Arrey-Mbi – rather struggled to find their rhythm in the early stages, although Leroy Sane should have done better than blast over the bar after neat work from Douglas Costa.

Atletico soon took control of proceedings and went ahead midway through the half, when Joao Felix stabbed home Marcos Llorente’s cross at the near post. Musiala almost drilled in a world-class effort from outside the area after ghosting past Mario Hermoso, but the home side continued to enjoy the lion’s share of the chances, and could have increased their lead by the break.

Diego Simeone’s men picked up where they left off in the second half, with Felix and Yannick Carrasco going close, although Lucas Hernandez almost brought Bayern level against his former club, heading over from a corner.

Flick made a triple substitution just after the hour mark, bringing on Müller, Gnabry and Chris Richards, and the tide soon began to turn in the visitors’ favour. Müller went close on 74 minutes when Gnabry scooped a ball into the Atletico area, but home keeper Jan Oblak was able to clear the danger.

With five minutes of normal time remaining, however, the Bayern No.25 was brought down inside by the area by substitute Felipe and the referee awarded a penalty. Müller dusted himself off and slammed it home, meaning that the reigning European champions remain unbeaten in this competition since a 3-1 loss to Liverpool in March 2019.